Industry News/Updates
Government opens CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 3B, travel time cut from 1.5 hours to 15 minutes
New CAVITEX link cuts Parañaque to Taguig travel from 1.5 hours to 15 minutes.
The CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 3B is now open, reducing travel time between Parañaque City and Taguig City from 1.5 hours to approximately 15 minutes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Monday, March 6.
Marcos led the opening of the two-kilometer stretch, which completes all segments of the CAVITEX C5 Link. The tollway is expected to accommodate around 36,000 vehicles daily.
Marcos inspected the segment with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
Marcos said the opening of Segment 3B is intended to help mitigate the impact of rising oil prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Gulf Region, noting that the project supports the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) under Executive Order No. 110.
“Kagaya ng ating mga laging iniisip ngayon dahil nga sa kaguluhan sa Middle East, ay napakalaking savings ito sa gasolina, sa krudo, sa fuel. At hindi maliit na bagay ang babawasan ang biyahe mo mula sa isang oras at kalahati hanggang 15 minutes. Malaking savings ‘yan (Given what we are constantly thinking about right now because of the unrest in the Middle East, this represents very significant savings in gasoline, in crude, in fuel. And it is no small thing to reduce your travel time from an hour and a half to 15 minutes. That’s big savings.”),” Marcos said.
“Ito ay kasama sa ating utos na nanggaling sa UPLIFT na ating ginagawa na buksan ang lahat ng mga daan upang maging mas maginhawa ang pagbiyahe ng ating mga traveling public (This is part of the directive we received from UPLIFT, which we are implementing to open all roads so that travel for our commuting public becomes more convenient),” he added.
Dizon said additional mobility projects are expected in the coming weeks, including the schedule opening of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) connecting Tarlac City to Cabanatuan City next Tuesday, April 11.
The toll fee for Segment 3B will be waived from March 30 to April 30, 2026, including the Holy Week, when many Filipinos are traveling.
“Para naman ay mapagbigyan ang ating kababayan na dumadaan dito, lalong-lalo na ngayon, Holy Week na ngayon, at maraming bumabiyahe. Kaya ito ay patuloy naming ginagawa at bubuksan natin (This is also to accommodate our fellow Filipinos who pass through here, especially now that it’s Holy Week and many people are traveling. That’s why we continue to do this, and we will open it.),” the President said.
The government statement said the new segment is expected to improve access for motorists from Cavite and other southern areas to metropolitan regions, potentially supporting economic activity in Southern Metro Manila and Cavite by providing better connections to industrial, commercial, and residential zones.
Industry News/Updates
Ford announces finalists for 25th Henry Ford Awards
Ford names 25th Henry Ford Awards finalists for motoring journalism excellence.
Ford Philippines has named the finalists for the 25th Henry Ford Awards (HFA), the industry’s only awards program recognizing excellence in motoring journalism, the company statement said on April 16.
The awards, now in its 25th year, features five submission categories divided into Industry Awards and Ford-specific categories.
Industry Category Awards
For Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Article), the finalists are Luigi Leonardo of GadgetMatch for his piece on the Kia EV9, Carlo Chungunco of Top Gear Philippines for a story on the Mazda Miata, and Raymond Gregory Tribdino of The Manila Times’ Fast Times for a review of the 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander.
In the Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Video) category, finalists include Earl Lee of AutoDeal for the 2025 Nissan Z NISMO, Caco Tirona of AutoDeal for the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9, and Alexander Zosa of Jaywalkur Motoring for the BYD Seal 5 DMi.
Ford Category Awards
The Ford Launch Story of the Year category features Kristoffer Lim of Megabites, Leandre Grecia of Top Gear Philippines, and MJ Jucutan of GadgetMatch.
For Ford Automotive Video Feature of the Year, the nominees are Jack Gutierrez of AutoDeal, Roy Robles of Zigwheels Philippines, and Caco Tirona of AutoDeal.
In the Ford Automotive Short-Form Video of the Year category, finalists are Roy Robles of Zigwheels Philippines, Charles Banaag of Top Gear Philippines, and Isaac Atienza of Go Flat Out PH.
All entries underwent two rounds of judging by members of the academe and business leaders. Video submissions were evaluated by special judges, including Ogilvy Executive Creative Director Chino Jayme and brand filmmaker Sid Maderazo of Provill Studios and Sidekick Collective.
Winners will be announced on May 5, 2026. The ceremony will also honor the Silver Mile Luminaries, motoring journalists with the most HFA wins over the past 25 years, as well as the recipient of the first-ever Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award.
Industry News/Updates
Ford offers cash discounts, low downpayment deals for April
Ford Philippines offers April cash discounts, low downpayments, and 0% interest on select models.
Ford Philippines is offering special promotions this April, including cash discounts, low all-in downpayment deals, and interest-free financing across several vehicle models.
The offers cover the Ford Ranger, Everest, Territory Hybrid, Explorer, and Mustang Mach-E, the company announced on April 15.
Territory Hybrid
The Territory Hybrid Titanium X comes with a P50,000 cash discount or a lower all-in downpayment deal of P89,000. The base Territory Trend remains priced at P1,399,000 and is available at a monthly fee of P29,352.
The Territory Hybrid, launched in August 2025, features a self-charging system that recovers battery power through regenerative braking and energy capture from the engine. It does not require charging stations.

Mustang Mach-E
The all-electric Mustang Mach-E is offered with a P500,000 cash discount, bringing its starting retail price to P2,999,000. Customers can also avail of 0% interest with a 50% downpayment on a 60-month amortization plan.
Ford Everest
The 7-seater Everest Titanium+ 4×2 comes with a P110,000 cash discount or a complimentary 5-Star Care Package, which includes a free 5-year warranty, 5-year scheduled service plan, and 5-year emergency roadside assistance, plus a P70,000 cash discount.
The Everest Trend variant is available at a P79,000 low all-in downpayment or a monthly fee of P39,107. The Everest Sport comes with a P60,000 discount.
Ford Ranger
The Ranger Sport is offered with a P180,000 discount. Customers can also avail of a low all-in downpayment of P59,000 for the 4×2 variant or P69,000 for the 4×4 variant. The entry-level Ranger XLS is available at a P99,000 all-in downpayment or a monthly fee of P28,932.
Ford Explorer
The Explorer 2.3L Limited EcoBoost comes with either a P1,000,000 discount or 0% interest with a 20% downpayment on a 60-month amortization plan.
“We recognize the need to make mobility more accessible especially during these challenging times,” said Byron Daquil, Director of Retail Marketing and Business Growth at Ford Philippines. “With customer-focused promotional offers on the Territory Hybrid, Mustang Mach-E and across our vehicle lineup, we hope to provide options to enable customers to keep moving through their day-to-day with ease and efficiency.”
For more details, visit Ford Philippines website at https://www.ford.com.ph/
Industry News/Updates
Vespa launches new 180cc Sprint, Primavera models in PH
Vespa launches two new 180cc scooters at Makina Moto 2026.
Vespa distributor Piaggio Philippines Corporation has introduced two new 180cc scooter models at the Makina Moto 2026 event, expanding its lineup in the local market.
The new offerings, the Vespa Sprint and Vespa Primavera, were unveiled on April 14 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Both models come in three variants each, with prices ranging from P218,000 to P288,000.

The Primavera 180cc is priced at P218,000 for the Standard variant, P228,000 for the Primavera S, and P268,000 for the Primavera Tech. The scooter features newly designed rims and a redesigned speedometer, according to the distributor.
The Sprint 180cc lineup starts at P238,000 for the Standard variant, followed by the Sprint S at P248,000, and the Sprint Tech at P288,000. The Sprint is distinguished by sharper body lines, with the Tech variant equipped with a high-definition digital dashboard.
Both models are powered by an enhanced 180cc engine and come standard with a keyless start system and ABS brakes.

The Italian brand has been manufacturing scooters since 1946. The new Sprint and Primavera models are now available at authorized Vespa dealerships nationwide.
The Makina Moto 2026 event runs until April 17 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
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